Folding table.



0. T. RIDGELY.

FOLDING -TABLE,

APPLIOAY'I'ION FILED 001212; 1908.

981,1 14. Q I Patented Jan. 10,1911.

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G. T. RIDGELY. I FOLDING TABLE. Arrmonlon mm 00112. 1908.

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FOLDING TABLE. APPL IG ATION FILED 0.01512, 1908.

PatentedJan. 10, 1911.

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FOLDING TABLE. APPLICATION 1:11.21) 00112. 1908.

Patented Jan. 10,1911.

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CHARLES T. RIDGELY, 0F SPRING-FIELD, OHIO.

FOLDING TABLE.

Application filed October 12, 1908. Serial No. 457,24L5.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 10, 1911.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. RIDGELY, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to folding tables and the object of the same is to provide a table of this character which can be readily folded or rolled into a small, compact bundle and which, when in its extended position, will provide a strong, durable table having a smooth upper surface.

To this end it is a further object of the invention to provide a table top comprising a series of parallel slats or strips flexibly connected one to the other and having a covering of flexible material; to provide means for retaining the table top in its extended position; to provide supporting legs for said table top which may be folded within the same; to provide a table of this character which may be extended laterally or adjusted vertically; to provide receptacles or supports adapted to receive implements when the table is used as'a work table; and to so construct and arrange the several parts of the table as to provide a strong, durable table of simple construction which will be so braced that it will not be liable to vibrate or shake to any material extent.

With these objects in view my invention consists in certain novel features and in certain combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter to be described, and then more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of one form of the table folded and inclosed in a casing; Fig;

2 is a perspective view of such a table in its extended position; Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of such a table; Fig. 4 is a detail view of the separable fastener, by means of which certain of the parts are connected one to the other; Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional view of such a table; Fig. 6 is a transverse, sectional View of a slightly modified form of the table; Fig. 7 is a transverse, sectional View of another form of the table; and

Figs. 8 and 9 are fractional detail views of the table shown in Fig. 7

In these drawings I have illustrated the preferred form of my invention and have shown the same as embodied in several tables of slightly different constructions.

In Figs. 1 to 5 I have shown a table which is' particularly adapted for use as a paste table for paperhangers and I have shown this table as comprising a main portion 1 and an extension 2, whereby the table may be adapted to either narrow or wide work. The main portion of the table I have shown as comprised of a series of slats or strips of suitable material, such as wood, flexibly connected one to the other. The outer strips, 3, are of considerable width and serve to form rigid outer edges for the table top, while the intermediate strips, 4:, are comparatively narrow, and, in the present instance, have their edges beveled, as shown at 5, to enable the strips to be folded closely one to the other. These strips are here shown as provided with a covering 6, of flexible material, such as canvas, which is secured to the strips and serves to connect these one to the other and also to form the upper surface of the table top. By spacing the strips a short distance apart I am enabled to fold the table with the flexible covering on the outside, thus forming a package having a smooth regular outline and enabling the implements to be inclosed between the strips. In the present instance, I have also shown the front edge of the table as provided with a cutting strip 7, of zinc or similar material.

Suitable means are provided to stretch the table top into its extended position and to retain the same in that position, thus causing the flexible cover to form a firm, smooth table top. The several strips are located so closely together that the flexible material extending between the same will not give to any material extent. The means for accomplishing this result preferably consists of cleats 8 adapted to extend between the opposite edges of the main portion of the table. In the present instance I have pivotally connected the cleats=- to the strips 8 forming the rear edge of the table top, as shown at 9, and have provided the opposite end of the cleat with a reduced portion or nose 10 adapted to enter a recess or guideway 11 formedby securing a downwardly extending strip or flange 12 to the outer edge of the forward strip 3 length of the cleat 8 is such that when the same is in a. position at substantially right angles to the length of the table, the can vas cover will be drawn taut. I have shown the table as provided with a cleat of-this character near each end thereof and have longer than the provided each of these cleats with support ing legs which are adapted to be folded longitudinally of the table in such a manner that, when the table is folded, they will lie within the same and will occupy a very small amount ofspace. To this end I have provided the cleat at each end of the table with a pair of intersecting legs. The outer leg, 14, of each pair is preferably slightly inner leg, 15, and has its upper end pivotally connected to the free end of the cleat 8, as shown at 16.. The upper end of the inner leg 15 lies in substantial alinement with the edge of the cleat 8 and separable means are provided for securing the upper end of the leg 15 to this cleat. This separable means preferably comprises a two-part fastener consisting of a hookshaped clip 17 formed by bending the end portion of a strip of metal upon itself to form a hook 18. The body portion of the strip 17 is secured to the end of the inner leg 15 and the hook 18 lies in such a position as to engage a socket or loop 19 secured to the cleat 8, preferably by securing a U- shapedstrip of metal to .the opposite sides of said cleat in such a position that the horizontal portion thereof will lie a short dis tance from the lower edge of the cleat. Thus, it will be seen that the cleat 8 may be moved about its pivotal center into a position substantially parallel with the rear strip 3 and the intersecting legs 14 and 15 folded one upon the other and turned about the pivotal connection 16 to a position beyond the end of the cleat 8, as shown in dot-ted lines in Fig. 3, the cleats at the opposite ends of the table being pivoted to the rear strip 3 at different distances from the edge thereof so that one cleat with its attached legs will lie parallel with the other cleat and its attached legs.

It is also desirable to provide an additional support for that portion of the table lying between the two end cleats 8 to which the supporting legs are secured, and, to this which the paperhangers straight-edge may be inserted when the table is to be folded, thus retaining the straight-edge in a straight, flat position and preventing the possibility of the same being twisted or distorted by the folding of the table. The cleat 20, which is secured to the front strip 3, is secured to that strip at such a point that, when the cleat is moved into a position parallel with the strip, it will lie close to the straight-edge when the latter is in position within the recess 11 and will hold the same against lateral movement.

I have also shown suitable braces 26 extending between the intersecting legs 14 and 15 at the opposite ends of the table. These braces are preferably secured at their opposite ends to the inner leg, 15, of each pair by means of a separable fastener, which, 111 the present instance, comprises a hookshaped clip 17, as above described, and a socket 24 which is formed by bending the opposite end portions of a strip of metal upon the body portion thereof, the respective end portions each terminating some distance from the center of said body portion. Thus when the clip is secured to the inner face of the leg with the end portions adjacent to the leg, a socket will be formed to receive the hook 18 of the clip 17. In order that these braces may be held firmly in position I prefer to pivotally connect the same at their point of intersection and to arrange this point of intersect-ion at a short distance from the center of the strips, as shown at The sockets 24 are secured to the inner leg, 15, of each pair equal distances apart. Thus, when the intersecting braces 26 have been secured at one end to one of the legs 15 it is necessary to spring the opposite ends of the braces into their sockets on the other leg 15, thereby not only retaining the braces in theirposition, but increasing the bracing effect thereof. By securing the braces to the inner leg with the lower ends thereof near the lower end of the inner leg, which lower end lies adjacent to the front end of the table, I also further increase the bracing effect of the intersecting braces and provide a well braced table which will not vibrate or shake under normal conditions. When the table is to be folded these braces are detached and folded one upon the other and then laid along one edge of the table top, preferably between the depending flange 22 and the legs 14 and 15 which have been folded into their longitudinal position. Thus, it will be seen that the table top can be readily folded or rolled into a small, compact bundle.

The extension 2 of the table comprises a series of strips 27, similar to the strips 1, and has an outer strip 28 corresponding to the strip 3 and forming the rear edge of the extension. These strips are flexibly connected and are hinged to the rear edge of the main portion of the table, this being preferably accomplished by providing the same with a covering of flexible material, which is here shown as a continuation of the covering 6 for the main portion of the table. Cleats 29 are pivotally connected to the body portion of the table having their outer ends adapted to engage a recess 30 formed at the rear edge of the extension 2 by means of a depending flange 31 having an inwardly extending projection 32. These cleats are preferably secured to the adjacent ends of the cleats 8 by means of hinge members 33 comprising strips of metal adapted to be secured to the inner ends of the cleats 29 and having offset portions extending at an angle thereto and adapted to be pivotally connected to the adjacent ends of the cleats 8, thus enabling the cleats 29 to be folded parallel with the cleats 8 and enabling the extension 2 to be folded upon the main portion of the table when the table is to be folded.

I also prefer to provide this table with receptacles or supports adapted to receive and support the paperhangers implements within convenient reach. To this end I have provided the rear edge of the extension 2 with a series of depending pockets 34, preferably formed by securing a strip of material 35 to the lower edge of the flange 31 and forming the pockets in the strip of material, each pocket being of a size adapted to accommodate the particular instrument which it is to receive. Further, I have provided means for supportin a straight-edge at the front edge of the tab e. This means preferably comprises hook-shaped members 36 adapted to be secured to the under side of the table top at intervals, each having its lower end upturned, as shown, to receive the straight-edge and support the same beneath the edge of the table top, but within convenient reach of the operator. These hookshaped members 36 may be secured to the table top in any suitable manner, but I have here shown the same as provided at their upper ends with hooks 87 adapted to engage a socketv38 secured to the inner edge of the longitudinal projection 13 carried by the flange 12 at the forward edge of the table. In this way the paperhangers implements are all within convenient reach from the front of the table and it will be observed that the pockets 34 will always be in the same position whether the extension 2 is in its horizontal or its vertical position.

In Fig. 6 of the drawings I have shown a table as provided with means for adjusting the height thereof. This table is similar in construction to that shown in Figs. 1 to 5, with the exception that it is not an extensible table and I have here shown this table as formed of heavier material, the samebeing designed more particularly for hotel use, where it may be used either as a sample table for displaying traveling mens samples or as a banquet table. Inasmuch as it would be preferable to have the display table somewhat higher than the banquet table I have provided the table with means for varying the height thereof, which consists in providing the same with a plurality of clips 19 which are adapted to receive the hook 1 8 of the clip 17 on the end: of the leg 15 at each end of the table. These clips 19 are so arranged that when the leg is secured to the innermost of these clips, the table top will be supportedin its highest position, in which position it is adapted for use as a display table or va work table or for any use in which the person using the same is standing. In the present instance, I have shown the table top as provided at each end with but one additional clip or socket 19, this clip being located near the rear edge of the table in such a position that when the leg 15 is secured thereto, the table top will occupy a somewhat lowerposition, as shown in dot-- ted lines in Fig. 6, and further, the leg will be secured to the table top near its outer edge and will form a firm support therefor. In this manner the table top is lowered to the desired extent and both edges of the same are firmly supported so that there will be no. liability of its tipping if a weight is placed upon one edge thereof. In order to accommodate the clip 19, secured near the rear end of the cleat, to the inclination which will be assumed by the clip 17 when the leg has been moved to its rearmost posi-' tion I prefer to provide the cleat- 8 at a point adjacent to the clip 9 with a recess 38 and to set the clip at a slightly acute angle to the cleat, as shown in Fig. 6.

The table top may be provided without legs, and, when thus provided, is adaptedfor use either with a set of trestles which are especially provided therefor or it may be placed upon trestles or supports of any character. In Figs. 7 to 9 I have shown such a table top and have shown the same as mounted upon a special trestle. As here shown, the table top is constructed in the same manner as the table top heretofore described and is provided with a series of cleats 39 which are pivotally connected to support preferably folding trestles- 40, 10v

the strip 3 at one edge thereof and are but I have shown a separate support which is adapted to be folded upon itself and rolled within the table top when it is folded. This comprises a plurality of the horizontal or supporting members or bars 41 of which extend beyond their points of connection to the intersecting legs 42 and are provided with reduced. portions or projections 43 and 44. The projection 43 at one end of each bar 41 is .adapted to engage a recess or aperture 45 formed in a depending flange 46 secured to one edge of the table and the projection 44 at the opposite end of the bar 41 is adapted to enter the recess 11 at the opposite edge of the table, this recess being constructed in substantially the same manner as above described in connection with Figs. 1 to 5. The horizontal or supporting member 41 of each trestle is preferably mounted between the upper ends of each pair of intersecting legs 42 and means, such as the toggle joint 47, are provided for spreading apart the lower ends of these legs and thus clamping the member 41 between theupper ends thereof and providing a firm non-vibrating support for the table top.

The manner in which the table is manipulated to fold or extend the same will be readily understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that I have provided a table which, when in its extended position, affords a strong, firm table which is adapted to be folded or rolled into a very small, compact bundle and that, when so folded, it is adapted to be placed within a suitable receptacle to protect the same from moisture and the like, one form of this receptacle being shown at 48 in Fig. 1. Further, it will be apparent that the table top is smooth and regular throughout its extent and is free from joints or cracks between the several sect-ions. It will also be apparent that I have provided this table with means for varying either the width or the height thereof to accommodate the same to the particular use to which it is put; that I have provided a table with suitable supports or receptacles for various implements which may be employed when the table is used as a work table; and further, that I have so constructed and arranged the several parts of the table as to provide a strong, durable table of a very simple and inexpensive construction, which, as stated above,

can be folded into a very small, compact bundle and which, when in its extended position, will provide a firm well braced table which will not be liable to vibration under normal conditions.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the details of construc tion shown and described, for obvious modifications Will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a table of the character described, the combination, with a table top, and intersecting legs at the opposite ends thereof of intersecting brace bars secured at each end to one of said intersecting legs and pivoted one to the other at a point removed from the center thereof.

2. In a table of the character described, the combination, with a flexible table top, a pair of intersecting legs secured to said table top at opposite ends thereof, the innermost of said legs being connected with said table top near the rear edge thereof, of intersecting brace bars pivoted one to the other at a point removed from the centers thereof, and means carried by the inner leg of each pair of legs and spaced equal distances apart for securing the ends of said brace bars to said legs.

3. In a table of the character described, the combination, with a table top comprising a plurality of parallel strips, a flexible covering for said strips adapted to connect the same one to the other, a cleat pivotally connected to said table top near each end thereof, a part carried by the opposite edge of said table top and adapted to be engaged by the free end of said cleat, and flexible supporting legs secured to each of said cleats, of an extension for said table top comprising a plurality of parallel strips, a flexible covering for said strips adapted to connect the same one to the other and to said table top, a cleat arranged near each end of said extension and pivotally connected to the adjacent end of the cleat for said table top, and a part carried by the outer edge of said extension and adapted to be engaged by the free end of said cleat.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

CHARLES T. RIDGELY. 

